Why Varanasi is a Great Place for Photography

As one of the world’s most ancient, spiritual and continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi is a masterpiece in motion, and the perfect muse to draw inspiration from. Here are some vistas from Toehold Skipper Rajiv Shyamsundar that show you why.

Stubborn edges, too, become blurry lines upon ‘reflection’ – quite fitting a scene for a spiritual town. And this gold, this priceless morning gold, is all yours to watch until it melts unto itself, as the growing light of the noon takes over. This city, whose streets are bustling with activity all day, every day, will still make you slow down and gather all that you can, if you allow yourself the privilege.

For marvelling eyes, there is no shortfall of marvel in the world. And when the first ambers, the first pinks paint the world softly, when the moored boats are lined up side by side, your imagination is bound to run wild. Perceiving and retaining the discernment until it’s transformed into a piece of art is perhaps the best tribute to a vision.

Not all stories need words for the telling; sometimes, they speak in different hues. Not all stories have a beginning and an end; sometimes they barely graze the skin of you and manage to sink in long after they’re gone. Not all stories intend to be heard, but when they are, in all their vibrant colours, especially in a city like Varanasi, it’s rather the privilege of the one who gets to hear it, and see it.

When the night falls upon this city, there’s more aesthetics to look forward to. The sacred Ganges is worshipped with thousands of earthen lamps and incense and flowers, with thousands of myriads of people flocking the ghats of glory. To add to the colours, the sounds of temple bells and gongs and cymbals create an enchanting clatter. Let the varied fragrances of Varanasi intoxicate you in the night.

Portrait opportunities that strike at the root of your creativity are always in the forming in Varanasi. A gaze to pierce tight through yours, and some vermillion red and some marigold yellow to accompany the spectacular Ganga aarti. Here, devotion manifests in more ways than you can possibly imagine… and that is why your devotion for making art can’t find a better place than Varanasi, especially when you are longing to experience some ancientness.

Daily morning rituals of priests in Varanasi are a delight to watch and photograph. Even a daily ritual doesn’t become routine, like how sunrise and sunset never become mundane details. Tinges of saffron add vivacity to the colour palette that’s unveiled by dawn day after day in relentless succession. Meanwhile, miss not an opportunity to sail on the holy river, row into the rising sun.

Varanasi is a fantastic place for portraits. Even when you don’t have a pair of eyes looking deep into your eyes through your camera, you can capture an action, as still that can move you as a memory safely and delicately created. If you get a little luckier, some evocative street art and graffiti on the walls, adorning even some dilapidated buildings, can make your picture a lot fuller of life than just being a portrait.